Brothers and Sisters (season 1)
Encyclopedia
The first season of Brothers & Sisters, an American serialized
family-drama television series created by Jon Robin Baitz
, began airing on September 24, 2006, on ABC.
Brothers and Sisters follows the lives of The Walker Family who include: Nora Walker, her brother Saul and her children Sarah, Kitty, Tommy, Kevin, and Justin. The series began with the death of Nora's husband William Walker and follows the discovery that he had a twenty year affair with Holly Harper
and the fact that William and Holly had a child together, Rebecca, that no one knew about. As well as this central plot bringing the family together, each character must deal with the events of their personal lives.
) and her children; Sarah (Rachel Griffiths
), Tommy (Balthazar Getty
), Kitty (Calista Flockhart
), Kevin (Matthew Rhys
) and Justin (Dave Annable
) each with their own lives and problems. Husband and father William Walker (portrayed by Tom Skerritt
) heads the family. However, his death in the opening episode reveals hidden secrets that serve to test the family and their business 'Ojai Foods' to the limits.
Patricia Wettig
stars as Holly Harper; William's long time mistress and Emily VanCamp
appears mid-season as Rebecca Harper; Holly's daughter.
) whom he kept for decades, and the couple were believed to have had a child, Rebecca (Emily VanCamp
). The first half of the season introduces the family and their search into William's secrets around Ojai. The second half focuses on Rebecca and her integration into the Walker family. Her mother (Holly) also becomes involved, as she goes into business with Tommy to open 'Walker Landing,' a vineyard.
Nora begins to express her feelings through writing after finding stories she had written when she was younger and begins to take a class at a local college. Here, she meets and begins dating her professor Mark even though they she finds out he has dated one of his other, much younger students. This relationship ends at the opening of 'Walker Landing,' when he kisses Holly and Nora tells him they do not work as a couple. Nora becomes stronger and heals throughout the course of the season, although she struggles with the idea of Justin going back to war and finds it difficult, in the beginning of the season, to work through her issues with Kitty. However, they re-bond through the season and see Justin off at the airport in the season finale.
After he and Julia try for months to conceive, Tommy discovers he is sterile. They turn to Kevin and Justin for support as possible surrogates. Both brothers decide to give sperm, but never discover whose sperm is ultimately used. Everyone is thrilled when Tommy & Julia discover they are expecting twins; however, tragedy strikes when Julia goes into early labor and gives birth to a boy, William, and a girl, Elizabeth. The doctors inform the new parents that William won't make it, and that they must operate on Elizabeth or risk losing her too.
Kitty has the hardest time, out of all her brothers and sisters, accepting Rebecca into her life, a fact she does not hide from her half-sister.
Tensions rise between him and his sister Kitty when she takes a job with Senator Robert McCallister (Rob Lowe), as the Senator does not support gay marriage. Kevin is later introduced to Jason, Robert's gay brother, and they begin a relationship toward the end of the season.
Later in the season, he receives a letter from the army ordering him to return to active duty which causes him to relapse. He asks his brother Kevin to help him out of it and although Kevin cannot stop him from going, Justin is given an extra six months at home to prepare and say his goodbyes. In the season finale, Justin leaves to serve.
and Jon Robin Baitz. Greg Berlanti
acts as excutive producer and show runner for the first season. Brothers & Sisters is produced by Berlanti Television, After Portsmouth, and Touchstone Television (Fall 2006-Spring 2007), which is now ABC Studios (Fall 2007-present).
In the UK Brothers and Sisters was aired on Channel 4, premiering on June 20 at 20:30 with a double bill.
Season 1 is officially composed of 23 episodes, although 24 were produced during the season. The unaired episode, which was supposed to be episode 2, right after the pilot, contains scenes of William's funeral, also used in the actual episode 2. This ghost episode was taken out because of its slowliness.
In the UK the show averaged at around 2.2 million viewers and then settled to around 600,000.
Season One
Weekly
Serial (radio and television)
Serials are series of television programs and radio programs that rely on a continuing plot that unfolds in a sequential episode by episode fashion. Serials typically follow main story arcs that span entire television seasons or even the full run of the series, which distinguishes them from...
family-drama television series created by Jon Robin Baitz
Jon Robin Baitz
Jon Robin Baitz is an American playwright, screenwriter, television producer and sometime actor.-Life and career:Baitz was born in Los Angeles, California, the son of Edward Baitz, an executive of the Carnation Company. Baitz was raised in Brazil and South Africa before the family returned to...
, began airing on September 24, 2006, on ABC.
Brothers and Sisters follows the lives of The Walker Family who include: Nora Walker, her brother Saul and her children Sarah, Kitty, Tommy, Kevin, and Justin. The series began with the death of Nora's husband William Walker and follows the discovery that he had a twenty year affair with Holly Harper
Holly Harper
Holly Harper is a fictional character on the American television drama series Brothers & Sisters. She was played by actress Patricia Wettig.-Background:...
and the fact that William and Holly had a child together, Rebecca, that no one knew about. As well as this central plot bringing the family together, each character must deal with the events of their personal lives.
Cast
Brothers & Sisters introduces Nora Walker (Sally FieldSally Field
Sally Margaret Field is an American actress, singer, producer, director, and screenwriter. In each decade of her career, she has been known for major roles in American TV/film culture, including: in the 1960s, for Gidget or Sister Bertrille on The Flying Nun ; in the 1970s, for Sybil , Smokey and...
) and her children; Sarah (Rachel Griffiths
Rachel Griffiths
Rachel Anne Griffiths is an Australian film and television actress who came to prominence in the 1994 film Muriel's Wedding and her Academy Award nominated performance in the 1997 film Hilary and Jackie....
), Tommy (Balthazar Getty
Balthazar Getty
Balthazar Getty is an American film actor and member of the band Ringside. He is known for the roles of Thomas Grace on the American action drama Alias and Tommy Walker on the ABC drama Brothers & Sisters.-Early life:...
), Kitty (Calista Flockhart
Calista Flockhart
Calista Kay Flockhart is an American actress who is primarily recognized for her work in television. She is best known for playing the title character in the Fox comedy-drama series Ally McBeal for which she won a Golden Globe Award...
), Kevin (Matthew Rhys
Matthew Rhys
Matthew Rhys Evans , known professionally as Matthew Rhys, is a Welsh actor, best known as Kevin Walker on the U.S. ABC family drama Brothers & Sisters, and as Dylan Thomas in The Edge of Love.-Early life:...
) and Justin (Dave Annable
Dave Annable
David Rodman "Dave" Annable is an American actor. He played the character of Justin Walker on the television series Brothers & Sisters from 2006 to 2011.-Early life:...
) each with their own lives and problems. Husband and father William Walker (portrayed by Tom Skerritt
Tom Skerritt
Thomas Roy "Tom" Skerritt is an American actor who has appeared in over 40 films and more than 200 television episodes since 1962.-Early life:...
) heads the family. However, his death in the opening episode reveals hidden secrets that serve to test the family and their business 'Ojai Foods' to the limits.
Patricia Wettig
Patricia Wettig
Patricia Wettig is an American actress and playwright. She is best known for her roles in the television series Thirtysomething, Prison Break and Brothers & Sisters...
stars as Holly Harper; William's long time mistress and Emily VanCamp
Emily VanCamp
Emily Irene VanCamp is a Canadian actress. She is best known for her roles on the WB series Everwood as Amy Abbott and on the ABC series Brothers & Sisters as Rebecca Harper...
appears mid-season as Rebecca Harper; Holly's daughter.
Main cast
- Sally FieldSally FieldSally Margaret Field is an American actress, singer, producer, director, and screenwriter. In each decade of her career, she has been known for major roles in American TV/film culture, including: in the 1960s, for Gidget or Sister Bertrille on The Flying Nun ; in the 1970s, for Sybil , Smokey and...
as Nora WalkerNora WalkerNora Maureen Holden Walker is a fictional character on the television drama, Brothers & Sisters. She is portrayed in the series by veteran actress Sally Field. Nora is the main character of the series... - Calista FlockhartCalista FlockhartCalista Kay Flockhart is an American actress who is primarily recognized for her work in television. She is best known for playing the title character in the Fox comedy-drama series Ally McBeal for which she won a Golden Globe Award...
as Kitty WalkerKitty WalkerKatherine Anne "Kitty" Walker is a fictional character on the primetime showBrothers & Sisters. She is played by actress Calista Flockhart... - Rachel GriffithsRachel GriffithsRachel Anne Griffiths is an Australian film and television actress who came to prominence in the 1994 film Muriel's Wedding and her Academy Award nominated performance in the 1997 film Hilary and Jackie....
as Sarah Walker - Matthew RhysMatthew RhysMatthew Rhys Evans , known professionally as Matthew Rhys, is a Welsh actor, best known as Kevin Walker on the U.S. ABC family drama Brothers & Sisters, and as Dylan Thomas in The Edge of Love.-Early life:...
as Kevin WalkerKevin Walker (Brothers & Sisters)Kevin Herbert Walker is the name of a fictional character on ABC's family drama Brothers & Sisters. He is portrayed by actor Matthew Rhys. In a two-part 2010 episode, actor Kasey Campbell played a teenage Kevin in flashback sequences set in 1986.... - Balthazar GettyBalthazar GettyBalthazar Getty is an American film actor and member of the band Ringside. He is known for the roles of Thomas Grace on the American action drama Alias and Tommy Walker on the ABC drama Brothers & Sisters.-Early life:...
as Tommy WalkerTommy Walker (Brothers & Sisters)Thomas "Tommy" Walker is a fictional character on the American television show Brothers & Sisters. He is played by actor Balthazar Getty. In a 2010 episode, actor Cody Longo portrayed a teenage Tommy in flashback sequences set in 1986.-Background:... - Dave AnnableDave AnnableDavid Rodman "Dave" Annable is an American actor. He played the character of Justin Walker on the television series Brothers & Sisters from 2006 to 2011.-Early life:...
as Justin WalkerJustin Walker (Brothers & Sisters)Justin Walker is a fictional character on the American primetime drama series Brothers & Sisters. He is played by actor Dave Annable. In a 2010 episode, actor Dylan Larsen portrayed Justin as a young child in flashback sequences set in 1986.-Background:... - Ron RifkinRon RifkinRon Rifkin is an American actor. He is best-known for his roles as Arvin Sloane on the spy drama Alias and as Saul Holden on the American family drama Brothers & Sisters.-Personal life:...
as Saul HoldenSaul HoldenSaul Holden is a fictional character on the American primetime drama series Brothers & Sisters. He is played by actor Ron Rifkin.-Background:... - Patricia WettigPatricia WettigPatricia Wettig is an American actress and playwright. She is best known for her roles in the television series Thirtysomething, Prison Break and Brothers & Sisters...
as Holly HarperHolly HarperHolly Harper is a fictional character on the American television drama series Brothers & Sisters. She was played by actress Patricia Wettig.-Background:... - Sarah Jane MorrisSarah Jane Morris (actress)Sarah Jane Morris is an American actress. She plays Julia Walker on Brothers & Sisters and formerly had a recurring role on Felicity.-Personal life:...
as Julia WalkerJulia WalkerJulia Ridge is a fictional character on the primetime show Brothers & Sisters. She is played by actress Sarah Jane Morris.-Background:Julia was the only child of Ben and Beth Ridge. She eventually met and married Thomas Walker.... - Kerris Dorsey as Paige Whedon
Recurring and Notable Guest Stars
- Tom SkerrittTom SkerrittThomas Roy "Tom" Skerritt is an American actor who has appeared in over 40 films and more than 200 television episodes since 1962.-Early life:...
as William Walker - Josh HopkinsJosh HopkinsWilliam Joshua Hopkins is an American actor.-Career:Hopkins joined the fourth, and last season, of New York Undercover in 1998. In 1999 Hopkins starred in Alanis Morissette's "Unsent" music video...
as Warren Salter - Jason Lewis as Chad Berry
- Rob LoweRob LoweRobert Hepler "Rob" Lowe is an American actor. Lowe came to prominence after appearing in films such as The Outsiders, Oxford Blues, About Last Night..., St. Elmo's Fire, and Wayne's World. On television, Lowe is known for his role as Sam Seaborn on The West Wing and his role as Senator Robert...
as Robert McCallisterRobert McCallister (Brothers & Sisters)Robert Alexander McCallister was a fictional character on the ABC television program Brothers & Sisters. He was played by actor Rob Lowe. He was believed to be of Scottish origin... - Luke MacfarlaneLuke MacFarlaneThomas Luke Macfarlane , better known as Luke Macfarlane, is a Canadian actor and musician.-Early life:Macfarlane was born in London, Ontario, Canada. His father, Thomas , was the Director of Student Health Services at the University of Western Ontario, and his mother, Penny, is a mental health...
as Scotty WandellScotty WandellScott "Scotty" Wandell is a fictional character on the television drama Brothers & Sisters portrayed by Luke Macfarlane.-Background:Scotty Wandell is a gay man who was born and has lived in Oxford, Mississippi until he moved to New York and then later to California to start an independent life... - John Pyper-FergusonJohn Pyper-FergusonJohn Pyper-Ferguson is an Australian-born Canadian actor. He has appeared in a wide range of films and television shows. His notable works include playing Sonny Hamilton on Hamilton's Quest, Peter Hutter on The Adventures of Brisco County Jr., and Joe Whedon on Brothers & Sisters...
as Joe Whedon - Tyler PoseyTyler PoseyTyler Garcia Posey is an American actor and musician. Tyler is best known for his role as Scott McCall in MTV's show Teen Wolf.-Career:...
as Gabe Whedon - Maxwell Perry CottonMaxwell Perry CottonMaxwell Perry Cotton is an American child actor who portrayed Cooper Whedon in the television series Brothers & Sisters.Cotton was born on May 7, 2000 in San Diego, California. His younger brother Mason Vale Cotton is also an actor....
as Cooper Whedon - Emily VanCampEmily VanCampEmily Irene VanCamp is a Canadian actress. She is best known for her roles on the WB series Everwood as Amy Abbott and on the ABC series Brothers & Sisters as Rebecca Harper...
as Rebecca HarperRebecca HarperRebecca Harper is a fictional character on the drama series Brothers & Sisters and is played by actress Emily VanCamp.-Background:Rebecca was thought to have been the daughter of William Walker, the late patriarch of the Walker family, and his longtime mistress Holly Harper, although it was later... - Eric WinterEric WinterEric Barrett Winter is an American actor and former fashion model. He is also ambassador for Operation Smile.-Career:Before his acting roles, Winter was a male model and had some high profile campaigns, such as one print campaign for Tommy Hilfiger...
as Jason McCallister
Storylines
Sarah, Tommy and Saul - who are most involved with the Walker family business - learn that William embezzled the company's funds. The business revelation also reveals two major revelations on the personal front: William had a mistress, Holly Harper (Patricia WettigPatricia Wettig
Patricia Wettig is an American actress and playwright. She is best known for her roles in the television series Thirtysomething, Prison Break and Brothers & Sisters...
) whom he kept for decades, and the couple were believed to have had a child, Rebecca (Emily VanCamp
Emily VanCamp
Emily Irene VanCamp is a Canadian actress. She is best known for her roles on the WB series Everwood as Amy Abbott and on the ABC series Brothers & Sisters as Rebecca Harper...
). The first half of the season introduces the family and their search into William's secrets around Ojai. The second half focuses on Rebecca and her integration into the Walker family. Her mother (Holly) also becomes involved, as she goes into business with Tommy to open 'Walker Landing,' a vineyard.
Nora
Although Nora is devastated by the death of her husband and the secrets he harbored, she reveals that she knew he was having an affair but she chose to ignore it. She is deeply hurt by the depth of his relationship with Holly upon discovering he bought her a house. Nora embarks on a short romance with her contractor; however, this ends when she realizes she is not ready to date.Nora begins to express her feelings through writing after finding stories she had written when she was younger and begins to take a class at a local college. Here, she meets and begins dating her professor Mark even though they she finds out he has dated one of his other, much younger students. This relationship ends at the opening of 'Walker Landing,' when he kisses Holly and Nora tells him they do not work as a couple. Nora becomes stronger and heals throughout the course of the season, although she struggles with the idea of Justin going back to war and finds it difficult, in the beginning of the season, to work through her issues with Kitty. However, they re-bond through the season and see Justin off at the airport in the season finale.
Sarah & Joe
Sarah and Joe's marriage hits the rocks as they begin to drift apart. Sarah becomes jealous of Joe and the mother of one of his music students. The marriage is further strained when Joe kisses Rebecca. Although they try to move past this, they eventually decide to divorce. Sarah also spends time with Tommy trying to unlock the hidden accounts left by their father at the family business. After being introduced to Holly and discovering she had a child, Sarah figures out the password - the initials of all his children, including Rebecca - S,K,T,K,J,R.Tommy & Julia
Tommy struggles after finding out that his father left Sarah as CEO of the Ojai Foods in his will. He and Sarah clash as he finds it hard reporting to her and Sarah fails to listen to his advice and respect his experience with the company. After Holly decides to use her shares and become involved in the business, she reveals that William planned to open a winery and that it was his plan to have Tommy run it. Tommy decides to leave Ojai and do just this with Holly as his partner. Together, they open 'Walker Landing.'After he and Julia try for months to conceive, Tommy discovers he is sterile. They turn to Kevin and Justin for support as possible surrogates. Both brothers decide to give sperm, but never discover whose sperm is ultimately used. Everyone is thrilled when Tommy & Julia discover they are expecting twins; however, tragedy strikes when Julia goes into early labor and gives birth to a boy, William, and a girl, Elizabeth. The doctors inform the new parents that William won't make it, and that they must operate on Elizabeth or risk losing her too.
Kitty
Kitty begins the series living in New York with her long-term boyfriend Jonathan, who proposes. After she is offered a job on a political talk show 'Red White and Blue,' she considers moving back to California, which causes strain in their relationship. Kitty then sleeps with her co-host, Warren, which ends her engagement and she moves back in with her mother. This causes unresolved issues between them to resurface as Nora blames Kitty for Justin's decision to enlist in the war. Although she and Warren try to begin a relationship, they hit many obstacles and eventually end things. When she interviews Senator Robert McCallister, he offers her a job on his communications staff, which she takes. This causes conflict with her brother, Kevin, as he disagrees with McCallister's views, especially on gay marriage. After fighting it for months, Kitty and Robert finally acknowledge their feelings for each other and become engaged at the end of the season.Kitty has the hardest time, out of all her brothers and sisters, accepting Rebecca into her life, a fact she does not hide from her half-sister.
Kevin
Kevin has a short-term relationship with Scotty, who he meets through work before beginning a secret fling with Chad Barry, a TV star, who cannot admit to his sexuality. Although Chad & Kevin carry on a secret relationship, this ends when Chad's girlfriend finds out and warns him about Chad's behavior. After an argument in which Kevin tells him he does not want the drama of being with someone who cannot be himself, Chad comes out to the public, but tells Kevin he needs to be alone.Tensions rise between him and his sister Kitty when she takes a job with Senator Robert McCallister (Rob Lowe), as the Senator does not support gay marriage. Kevin is later introduced to Jason, Robert's gay brother, and they begin a relationship toward the end of the season.
Justin
Justin struggles with his drug addiction and his family's lack of faith in him; however, as the season progresses, he decides to stay clean and enters rehab. He has an on-again/off-again relationship with an old high school friend and short-time boss Tyler. But, they break up when she admits she cannot take being with someone recovering from drugs and that he shouldn't have to worry about her when he should be taking care of himself. He, out of all the brothers and sisters, spends more time with Rebecca and becomes closest to her.Later in the season, he receives a letter from the army ordering him to return to active duty which causes him to relapse. He asks his brother Kevin to help him out of it and although Kevin cannot stop him from going, Justin is given an extra six months at home to prepare and say his goodbyes. In the season finale, Justin leaves to serve.
Episodes
| № | # | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original air date | Production code |
|---|
Production
The show was created by Ken OlinKen Olin
Kenneth Edward "Ken" Olin is an American actor, director and producer. He is known for his starring role on the television series Thirtysomething, and most recently as Executive Producer, director, and recurring guest star of the television series Brothers & Sisters .-Career:As an actor, Olin...
and Jon Robin Baitz. Greg Berlanti
Greg Berlanti
Greg Berlanti is an American television writer and producer.- Personal life :Berlanti was born in Rye, New York. His parents are Barbara Moller Berlanti and Eugene Berlanti. Greg has one sister, Dina and is the uncle of two nieces...
acts as excutive producer and show runner for the first season. Brothers & Sisters is produced by Berlanti Television, After Portsmouth, and Touchstone Television (Fall 2006-Spring 2007), which is now ABC Studios (Fall 2007-present).
In the UK Brothers and Sisters was aired on Channel 4, premiering on June 20 at 20:30 with a double bill.
Season 1 is officially composed of 23 episodes, although 24 were produced during the season. The unaired episode, which was supposed to be episode 2, right after the pilot, contains scenes of William's funeral, also used in the actual episode 2. This ghost episode was taken out because of its slowliness.
Ratings
This season averaged at 12.2million viewers - based on average total viewers each episode. This ranked the show at #37.In the UK the show averaged at around 2.2 million viewers and then settled to around 600,000.
Season One
Weekly
| Episode # | Title | Air Date | Rating | Share | 18-49 | Viewers | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Patriarchy" | September 24, 2006 | 11.0 | 17 | 6.2 | 16.10 | #12 |
| 2 | "An Act of Will" | October 1, 2006 | 9.1 | 15 | 5.5 | 13.9 | #24 |
| 3 | "Affairs of State" | October 8, 2006 | 8.6 | 14 | 5.3 | 13.1 | |
| 4 | "Family Portrait" | October 15, 2006 | 8.3 | 14 | 4.9 | 12.0 | |
| 5 | "Date Night" | October 22, 2006 | 8.6 | 13 | 5.0 | 12.10 | |
| 6 | "For the Children" | October 29, 2006 | 8.6 | 15 | 5.0 | 12.67 | |
| 7 | "Northern Exposure" | November 5, 2006 | 9.1 | 14 | 5.5 | 13.73 | |
| 8 | "Mistakes Were Made, Part 1" | November 12, 2006 | 8.7 | 14 | 5.3 | 13.10 | #22 |
| 9 | "Mistakes Were Made, Part 2" | November 19, 2006 | 8.9 | 15 | 5.5 | 13.21 | |
| 10 | "Light the Lights" | December 10, 2006 | 7.2 | 12 | 4.0 | 10.47 | |
| 11 | "Family Day" | January 7, 2007 | 8.0 | 13 | 4.6 | 12.06 | |
| 12 | "Sexual Politics" | January 14, 2007 | 8.2 | 13 | 4.8 | 12.46 | #21 |
| 13 | "Something Ida This Way Comes" | January 21, 2007 | 8.2 | 13 | 4.6 | 11.95 | |
| 14 | "Valentine’s Day Massacre" | February 11, 2007 | 7.6 | 12 | 4.5 | 11.31 | |
| 15 | "Love is Difficult" | February 18, 2007 | 8.0 | 13 | 4.6 | 11.78 | |
| 16 | "The Other Walker" | March 4, 2007 | ' | ' | 4.7 | 11.78 | |
| 17 | "All in the Family" | April 1, 2007 | 6.5 | 11 | 3.4 | 9.13 | #25 |
| 18 | "Three Parties" | April 8, 2007 | 7.4 | 12 | 4.1 | 10.98 | #22 |
| 19 | "Game Night" | April 15, 2007 | 7.7 | 13 | 4.5 | 11.49 | |
| 20 | "Bad News" | April 29, 2007 | 7.9 | 13 | 4.4 | 11.52 | #26 |
| 21 | "Grapes of Wrath" | May 6, 2007 | 7.6 | 13 | 4.1 | 10.83 | |
| 22 | "Favorite Son" | May 13, 2007 | 8.1 | 14 | 4.3 | 11.92 | #20 |
| 23 | "Matriarchy" | May 20, 2007 | 8.6 | 14 | 4.7 | 12.66 |
See also
- Season TwoBrothers and Sisters (season 2)The second season of Brothers & Sisters consisted of only 16 episodes due to the 2007–2008 Writers Guild of America strike. Ten of the episodes were shown beforehand, ending with "The Feast of Epiphany"; a further six episodes were produced to finish off the season...
- Season ThreeBrothers and Sisters (season 3)The third season of Brothers & Sisters consisted of a full 24 episodes. The season premiered on ABC on 20th September 2009 and concluded 5th May 2010....
- Season FourBrothers and Sisters (season 4)The fourth season of Brothers & Sisters was picked up for a fourth season on April 23, 2009.The premiere aired on ABC on Sunday September 27, 2009 and concludes May 16, 2010...